Recloseable carton

ABSTRACT

A recloseable carton adapted to retain tape reels and like items, comprises a pocket portion formed at one end thereof and a cover panel hingedly connected to an opposite end of the carton to have its free end tucked within the pocket portion. Side flaps are hingedly connected to side edges of the carton to underlie the closed cover panel to fully protect a packaged tape reel. Aligned cut-outs are provided in the back and cover panels and in the front flaps for viewing the contents.

Unite States Patent 1191 Drori 14 1 Jan. 15,1974

[ RECLOSEABLE CARTON 1,310,765 7/1919 Myers 229 16 D 1,716,628 6/1929 Gittleman... 206/4531 X [76] Inventor: f g l g g L05 3,322,263 5/1967 Gulliver 206/4531 x nge es, a1

[22] Filed: May 6, 1971 Primary ExaminerLeonard Summer ,[21] App o 9 Att0rneyFryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips & Lempio [57] ABSTRACT E i's i 'g i g i i gjgg A recloseable carton adapted to retain tape reels and [58] Fieid 206/4; 31 45 29 like items, comprises a pocket portion formed at one 229/33 end thereof and a cover panel hingedly connected to an opposite end of the carton to have its free end tucked within the pocket portion. Side flaps are [56] References Cited hingedly connected to side edges of the carton to un- UNITED STATES PATENTS derlie the closed cover panel to fully protect a pack 1,530,644 3/1925 Blandford 229/33 aged tape reel. Aligned cut-outs are provided in the E l u back and cover panels and in the front flaps for viewanner t 1,805,077 /1931 Carter 206/4529 X mg e Conten 8 2,472,985 6/ 1949 Pardee 229/33 X 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l3 b X 14b Za =0 f: 1 I Q t w u 1 5; 1 i l I Q l l a l l l I m I l I 1 e l I l l l 1 i i I I9 I I PATENIEDJANISIQY'I 3.785.478 SHEET 1 UF 3 FlGl.

ATTORN EYS PAIENIEW 1 W4 3. 785.478

sum 2 .nF 3

INVENTOR.

A$SA DROR BY ATTOR N EYS PATENTED JAN 1 5 I974 SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR.

o r I//4;/ TTO RN EY 1 RECLOSEABLE CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cartons adapted to package tape and film reels, phonograph records, tape cassettes and like items.

Many types of containers have been proposed for packaging the above-mentioned items. The most common package comprises a rectangular carton which has the closure flaps and panels thereof adhesively sealed together. Also, cellophane overwraps are oftentimes employed to fully protect packaged items, such as phonograph records.

Many such prior art packages are difficult to open and do not comprise a recloseable feature which renders the carton reusable. When such feature is provided, the packaged item must generally be carefully aligned for insertion into a rather small, open end of the carton.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly described problems by providing a durable and economical carton adapted to be easily opened and closed and which facilitates expeditious reinsertion of a fully protected packaged item therein.

The carton, preferably formed from a single blank of paperboard, plastic or other suitable materials, has a plurality of panels and flaps secured together to form a tray portion. The tray portion forms a pocket portion at one end of the carton and a cover panel is hingedly connected to the other end of the tray portion to have a free end thereof inserted into the pocket portion for reclosing purposes. Side flaps are hingedly connected to opposite side edges of the tray portion to underlie the cover panel when it is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a carton blank suitably cut and scored to be erected into carton form.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are isometric views of a carton formed from the FIG. 1 blank, shown in its open and closed conditions, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another carton blank embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a carton formed from the blank shown in FIG. 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS panel 13, and flaps 14a and 14b at each end of panel I 14. Second parallel score lines 23 and 24 define flaps Mara and 14bb at the outer ends of flaps 14a and 1411. Second parallel score lines 25 and 26 define flaps 27 and 28 at the outer edges of panels 21 and 22, resepctively.

Flaps 13a and 13b are tapered toward their ends to clearance for tucking them behind flaps 14a and 14b between flap 14km and panel 14 and flap l4lbb and panel M, respectively.

The outer corners of panel 10 may also be tapered to allow them to be easily tucked behind panel 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the carton blank shown in FIG. 1 may be easily formed into a carton embodying the present invention by folding flaps 13a and 13b about score lines 19 and 20, folding flaps 14aa and 14bb about score lines 23 and 24, and folding panel 14 about score line 18', then folding flaps 14a and 14b about score lines 19 and 22, and folding panel 13 about score line 17.

Panels 21 and 22 are then folded about score lines 19 and 20 to form side panels upstanding from back panel 12. Flaps Maa and 14bb are then glued to panel 12, and flaps 13a and 13b are glued to flaps 14a and 14b, respectively, which are in turn glued to panels 21 and 22, respectively, to form a pocket.

Panel his then folded about score line 16 to form a top side panel, and panels 27 and 28 are folded about score lines 25 and 26 to form closure flaps. Then panel 10 is folded about score line15 to forma cover flap. The carton is thus squared and ready for filling. The carton is illustrated in FIG. 2 with cut out portions 29 and 30 to allow viewing of the contents of the carton when flaps 27, 28 and 10 are closed.

A similar cut out 30a aligned with cut out portions 29 and 30 may be provided in panel 12 to provide an aperture through the carton whereby a plurality of cartons may be stacked together on a spindle. This is a particularly attractive feature when the carton contains an object which also has a central aperture, such as a tape reel. The cartons may then be stacked even when filled for storage or display.

After the carton is filled, it is closed by folding front closure flaps 27 and 28 into parallel, co-planar, abutting relationship and the folding flap 10 over flaps 27 and 28and tucking the free end thereof under panel 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The carton may be easily re-opened by opening panel 10 and then panels 27 and 28.

It can be readily seen that a carton constructed according to the foregoing description affords relatively large closure flaps for easy manual manipulation. It can also be seen that when open, closure flaps 27, 28 and 10 form a means for guiding the object to be placed in the carton, into proper alignment with the carton. Accordingly, the carton of the present invention provides for easing insertion of items thereinto. In addition, a carton constructed in accordance with the present invention is strong and durable by reason of the reinforcing tabs at the corners thereof. Furthermore, the improved carton of the present invention can be simply andcheaply constructed from the blank shown in FIG. 1

It will be recognized, however, that a carton embodying the present invention can be constructed from a wide variety of materials in addition to fiberboard. FIG. 4 depicts a carton embodying the present invention which is constructed of plastic.

In FIG. 4 a carton, substantially identical in form to the FIGS. 13 carton except for the absence of cut out portions 29 and 30, is depicted as comprising a tray formed by back panel 31 and side panels 32 and 33 and end panel 34 in normal upstanding relationship thereto and joined together at the junctures thereof. A lower front panel 35 overlaps a portion of panel 31 and is spaced thereform by panels 32, 33 and 34 to which it is joined. Flaps 36 and 37 are hingedly connected to panels 32 and 33. A cover flap 39 is hingedly connected to a top flap 38 which, in turn, is hingedly connected to panel 31.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6, as a triangular carton.

In FIG. 5, a carton blank is shown as comprising a triangular panel 41 bonded on each side by said panels 42, 43 and 44 defined by first, second and third parallel score lines 45,46; 47,48; and 49,50, respectively. Score line 46 further defines a triangular panel 57 substantially congruent with panel 41. Score lines 48 and 49 further define similar trapezoidal panels 52 and 53 respectively attached to panels 43 and 44 and extending a portion of the length of these panels. Score line 40 further defines a triangular panel 54 congruent with the lower part of panel 41 as viewed in FIG. 4, and attached to panel 44 at a first side adjacent to panel 53 and separated therefrom on a second side by a cut line 55. Fourth parallel score lines 56 and 57 define parallel adjacent tabs 58 and 59 on a third side of triangular panel 54. The outer lower corner of tab 59 is cut away to allow tab 59 to be glued to panel 41 at the intersection of panels 43 and 44. An end tab 60 is attached to the end of panel 44 by a score line 61 to reinforce the end of the carton.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the carton blank shown in FIG. 5 may be readily formed into a triangular carton embodying the present invention; To construct the carton, tab 60 is folded about score line 61, tabs 58 and 59 are folded about score lines 57 and 56 and panel 44 is folded about score lines 57 and 56 and panel 44 is folded about score line 47. Panel 54 is then folded about score line 50 and tab 60 is glued to tab 58 and tab 59 is glued to panel 41. Panel 43 is then folded about score line 47 and tab 58 is glued to it. Panel 42 is then folded about score line 47 and panels 53, 52 and 51 are folded about score lines 50, 48 and 46 respectively to form closure flaps. The carton will then appear as shown in FIG. 6.

The carton is closed by folding panels 52 and 53 into parallel co-planar abutting relationship and then folding panel 51' over panels 52 and 53 and tucking the free end thereof under panel 54.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that they are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A reclosable carton comprising a flat back panel,

a plurality of upstanding side panels attached to said back panel to define a tray portion having a front opening co-extensive with said side panels,

a front panel, disposed parallel to and spaced from said back panel, attached interiorly to at least two of said side panels to partially cover said opening to form a pocket portion at a first end of said tray portion,

a cover panel hingedly connected to an upper edge of another side panel at a second, opposite end of said tray portion, said cover panel having a sufficient length as taken between the first and second ends of said tray portion to define a free end insertable beneath said front panel, and

a pair of front flaps each extending entirely between the upper edge of said another side panel and said front panel and hingedly connected to an upper edge of one of said side panels which is disposed transversely relative to the top side panel having said cover panel hingedly connected thereon,

said front panel having side wall tabs depending therefrom and secured interiorly to said transverse side panels and wherein said tray portion includes a bottom side wall at said first end thereof which has tabs at each end thereof, each of which is secured interiorly to at least one of said side wall tabs and said transverse side walls.

2. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein the side panel to which the cover panel is connected, is hingedly connected to said back panel.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the front flaps are in parallel and edge abutting relationship when closed.

4. The invention of claim I wherein the back panel and front panel are generally rectangular.

5. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein each of said cover panel and front flaps have aligned cut-outs formed therethrough to allow viewing of the carton contents when the carton is closed.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side wall tabs have back wall tabs attached thereto which are secured interiorly to said back wall.

7. The carton defined in claim 5 wherein said back panel has a cut-out formed therethrough aligned with respect to the cut-outs formed through said cover and said front flaps to define an aperture through the carton whereby it may be disposed on a spindle.

8. A one-piece foldable carton blank comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels consecutively connected together and defined by four parallel first scorelines,

first and second side panels each connected to an edge of said third panel 'by a second scoreline which is perpendicular to said first scorelines,

first and second flaps each connected to an edge of a respective one of said first and second side panels by a third scoreline which is parallel to and substantially shorter than said second scorelines,

a first tab connected to each edge of said fourth panel by one of said second scorelines,

a second tab connected to each edge of said fifth panel by one of said second scorelines, and

a third tab connected to an edge of each of said second tabs by a fourth scoreline linearly aligned with a respective one of said third scorelines.

9. The carton blank of claim 8 further comprising cut-outs formed through and positioned on said first panel and said first and second flaps for allowing said cut-outs to be aligned when said first panel and flaps are superimposed upon erection of said carton blank.

10. The new carton blank of claim 9 further comprising a cut-out formed through and positioned on said third panel to be aligned with the cut-outs formed through said first panel and said flaps upon erection of said carton blank. 

1. A reclosable carton comprising a flat back panel, a plurality of upstanding side panels attached to said back panel to define a tray portion having a front opening coextensive with said side panels, a front panel, disposed parallel to and spaced from said back panel, attached interiorly to at least two of said side panels to partially cover said opening to form a pocket portion at a first end of said tray portion, a cover panel hingedly connected to an upper edge of another side panel at a second, opposite end of said tray portion, said cover panel having a sufficient length as taken between the first and second ends of said tray portion to define a free end insertable beneath said front panel, and a pair of front flaps each extending entirely between the upper edge of said another side panel and said front panel and hingedly connected to an upper edge of one of said side panels which is disposed transversely relative to the top side panel having said cover panel hingedly connected thereon, said front panel having side wall tabs depending therefrom and secured interiorly to said transverse side panels and wherein said tray portion includes a bottom side wall at said first end thereof which has tabs at each end thereof, each of which is secured interiorly to at least one of said side wall tabs and said transverse side walls.
 2. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein the side panel to which the cover panel is connected, is hingedly connected to said back panel.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the front flaps are in parallel and edge abutting relationship when closed.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the back panel and front panel are generally rectangular.
 5. The carton defined in claim 1 wherein each of said cover panel and front flaps have aligned cut-outs formed therethrough to allow viewing of the carton contents when the carton is closed.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the side wall tabs have back wall tabs attached thereto which are secured interiorly to said back wall.
 7. The carton defined in claim 5 wherein said back panel has a cut-out formed therethrough aligned with respect to the cut-outs formed through said cover and said front flaps to define an aperture through the carton whereby it may be disposed on a spindle.
 8. A one-piece foldable carton blank comprising first, second, third, fourth and fifth panels consecutively connected together and defined by four parallel first scorelines, first and second side panels each connected to an edge of said third panel by a second scoreline which is perpendicular to said first scorelines, first and second flaps each connected to an edge of a respective one of said first and second side panels by a third scoreline which is parallel to and substantially shorter than said second scorelines, a first tab connected to each edge of said fourth panel by one of said second scorelines, a second tab connected to each edge of said fifth panel by one of said second scorelines, and a third tab connected to an edge of each of said second tabs by a fourth scoreline linearly aligned with a respective one of said third scorelines.
 9. The carton blank of claim 8 further comprising cut-outs formed through and positioned on said first panel and said first and second flaps for allowing said cut-outs to be aligned when said first panel and flaps are superimposed upon erection of said carton blank.
 10. The new carton blank of claim 9 further comprising a cut-out formed through and positioned on said third panel to be aligned with the cut-outs formed through said first panel and said flaps upon erection of said carton blank. 